Johannesburg: India recorded their maiden Test victory on South African soil by winning the first cricket Test by a comprehensive 123-run margin with more than a day and a half to spare at the Wanderers here today.

The Indians sliced through South Africa's lower order with ease this morning to complete a rare overseas triumph which also marked a remarkable turnaround from a disastrous one-day series earlier on the tour.

Resuming at 163 for five and needing another 239 for a win, the South African innings lasted only 28.5 more overs before they were all out for 278.

After Zaheer Khan (3-79) dismissed wicketkeeper-batsman Mark Boucher (23) in the fourth over of the day, leg-spinner Anil Kumble ransacked the tail to end up with figures of 3-54. S Sreesanth had done the early damage by claiming 3 for 59 yesterday to lay the foundation for the win.

Shaun Pollock made a defiant 40 off 41 balls and added 67 runs with the other overnight batsman Ashwell Prince (97).

But with two days left, it was never going to be enough to resist India who have now taken a 1-0 lead in the three-Test rubber.

Pollock's rearguard action eventually proved to be flickers of a dying lamp and his innings, that consisted six fours and a six, came to an end when he was bowled by Kumble.

The 35-year-old Bangalorean then trapped Andre Nel lbw, before he broke the resistance of Prince who faced 223 balls and struck 11 boundaries.

India have lost four and drawn five of the nine Tests on their three previous visits to South Africa. This is also only their 27th win from 194 matches abroad, a measly 13.47 win percentage.